THE Anaphylaxis Campaign is set to hold a special reception on Monday, September 8, 2014 to celebrate 20 years of supporting people with severe allergies.

The Campaign was founded in 1994 by a small group of parents led by David Reading OBE.

David’s daughter, Sarah, tragically died aged just 17 from anaphylaxis to peanut in October 1993. Her death and others that were also triggered by nuts grabbed the media’s attention and became national news.

The event, which will be held at St Thomas’ Hospital, London, will seek to highlight the Charity’s achievements over the last 20 years and honour instrumental figures in accomplishing some of the most important milestones, such as changes to food labelling, the support provided by the NHS and in schools.

David said: “The death of my daughter and so many other young people from something so unassuming was very shocking at the time – and continues to be.

Twenty years ago it was clear there was very little awareness of how serious allergy could be.

We have made great steps in improving awareness levels amongst the general public, food industry and within government and this event is a chance to take stock of just how far we have come.”

The event will bring together over 130 friends, members and supporters of the Anaphylaxis Campaign, including celebrity patron, Olympic swimmer Mark Foster and the Campaign’s 102 year old Honorary President, allergy pioneer Dr William Frankland.

There will also be speeches from current influential figures in the medical world, such as Dr Andrew Clark, whose peanut allergy desensitisation work hit headlines earlier this year as a potential ‘cure’ for the allergy.

Lynne Regent, Anaphylaxis Campaign CEO said: “This event is very important to us in so many ways – it is a chance to remind ourselves of all the achievements we have made in our 20 year history, to say thank you to all those who have supported us throughout and to look to the future. In this vein, we will be launching a very special new project we have been working on to attendees, so watch this space.”

Anyone wishing to attend the event or seeking more information should contact info@anaphylaxis.org.uk

Donations can be to the Anaphylaxis Campaign in honour of their 20th anniversary via www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/donate.